#212: Building an 8 Figure HVAC Business - Ted Dockrey Artwork

Always Be Building

The Always Be Building Podcast explores business, entrepreneurship, markets, and current events with insightful commentary and engaging conversations. Whether it's building a company, expanding your knowledge, or creating a better life, we’re all building something.

Hosted by entrepreneur Max Gagliardi—who has founded companies across Energy, Real Estate, Tech, Hospitality, and Media—the show brings unique perspectives on the forces shaping our world.

Originally launched as Talk Energy, the podcast ran for 160 episodes focused on the energy sector before evolving into Always Be Building. New episodes drop weekly.

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#212: Building an 8 Figure HVAC Business - Ted Dockrey

August 20, 2024 • Max Gagliardi • Season 1 • Episode 112

This episode's guest is Ted Dockrey. Ted left his job during his 20s and bought a HVAC company. Him and his partner took the business from a mid 6 figures revenue to 8 figures of revenue in just a few years and then sold it to private equity.

This episode we discuss Ted's entrepreneurial journey and what it took to take the leap to go out on his own and buy a business. We talk about the importance of culture when leading a large team of people and how Ted took a different approach than the typical HVAC business. Ted discusses the changes they made to the business to ramp up sales, including an early marketing push that added millions in revenue in just a few months.

Hope you enjoy the show!

Timestamps:
00:01:15 - Introduction
00:13:44 - Discussing HVAC and Refrigeration Businesses
00:16:30 - Challenges of Seasonal Businesses
00:17:02 - Staffing Challenges in HVAC
00:19:03 - Acquiring and Operating a Company
00:20:14 - Understanding Distribution
00:21:33 - The Decision to Buy Suntec
00:25:15 - Growing the Business
00:31:13 - The Power of Simple Marketing
00:33:05 - Challenges in Pricing and Scaling
00:37:14 - Balancing Growth and Pricing
00:41:10 - Ethics in HVAC Industry
00:42:31 - Communication with Customers
00:47:43 - Mistakes and Lessons
00:55:38 - Decision to Sell

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